Several years ago I had asked an older family member of a family friend to teach me how to tat. Apparently tatting with a shuttle is quite difficult and few people can do it any more much less teach it. Today I had the opportunity to learn how to needle tat with the Crazy Quilting maven Ms. Connie Ostness. I found it relatively easy because it is quite similar to a knitting cast on stitch I just learned from the great grandmother of one of my elementary students. I am really thrilled that I am learning how to do this. Now if only I had the time to enjoy all of the wonderful things I now know how to do. Including spinning some of the fabulous Finn Sheep yarn I bought from Elizabeth at StillMeadow Farms, a gorgeous rose and a lovely “blue jeans” indigo color.
I want to mention this excellent book by Barbara Foster called Learn Needle Tatting Step by Step. It is a great book with excellent photo directions. It is very clear and easy to use. I think I prefered to have a human teacher to show me the first steps but I know that if you are trying to learn needle tatting on your own, this book is the one to go to. You can see my first loop, loop chain and flower with loops and chains. I think I did really well.
Meg Gregory 